The Chemical Burden of Pregnant Women

After looking at data of 268 pregnant women, researchers realized that almost all pregnant women are carrying around massive amounts of environmental chemicals in their bodies. Numerous chemicals and pesticides were detected in the bodies of 99% to 100% of all the pregnant women, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides, perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), phenols, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), phthalates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and perchlorate. Additionally, bisphenol A (BPA) was found in 96% of pregnant women surveyed. This toxic exposure doesn’t just affect pregnant women though. The health consequences of chemicals affect the entire population and include issues such as:

A Long-term Problem

Worse than the fact that so many chemicals were found in the bodies of pregnant women is the fact that many of the chemicals found are extremely long-lasting substances. Examples include compounds such as PBDEs, (flame retardants) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), an organochlorine pesticides. DDT was banned in 1972 and PBDEs are also now banned in many states, yet these substances are still found in pregnant women today – even women born long after the 1972 ban on DDT. This, along with the fact that these chemicals can cross the placenta, indicates that we need better chemical reform now, not later, since many chemicals stick around in the environment long after we officially quit using them.

Action Needed Now to Stop Environmental Chemicals

According to study lead author Tracey Woodruff, study findings indicate the need for, “Several courses of action.” First of all, Woodruff notes, additional research is necessary that can help, “Identify dominant sources of exposure to chemicals and how they influence our health, especially in reproduction.” Also, individuals should take action to protect themselves from toxins. However, as Woodruff points out, long-lasting and significant protection from toxins, “Will only result from a systemic approach that includes proactive government policies.”

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One thing you can do to help rid your body of some of these toxins is to take R-Alpha Lipoic Acid. Not the regular labelled "Alpha Lipoic Acid" - it has to specifically state that it is the R-ALA form. R-ALA is used to treat mercury poisoning, but that is just the tip of the iceberg and it helps to get any heavy metals out of your body.